Written Answers Nos. 60-79
60. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the strategy his Department is adopting to address the deficit of primary school places in west Swords, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44810/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to plan for school provision, the demographic data for the Swords school planning area, as with other school planning areas nationwide, is being kept under ongoing review by my Department to take account of updated child benefit data and updated enrolment data. It is anticipated that decisions based on these exercises will be announced before year end.
As the Deputy is aware, there are a total of 11 schools enrolling junior infant classes serving the Swords area, comprising 8 Catholic schools, one Gaelscoil, one Educate Together school and one Church of Ireland school. My Department is aware of the pressure on school places in recent years in the Swords school planning area. In that regard, my Department will be making contact with the patrons of the schools concerned in relation to the expected enrolment position in each school and with the aim of ensuring that there is adequate accommodation to cater for the demand for places in September 2018.
61. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a site is expected to be purchased to accommodate the three school campus in Buncrana, County Donegal; the timeframe of works to ensure that this school campus is completed as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44819/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the project in respect of the education campus in Buncrana is included on my Department's capital programme.
Officials in Donegal County Council have been assisting this Department under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in relation to the procurement of a suitable location for the campus. Despite the best efforts of all parties, the site acquisition process in respect of this project has been underway for a considerable length of time. Technical issues and a scarcity of willing vendors have, unfortunately, made the acquisition process extremely challenging.
I understand the frustrations of the schools' communities at the delays in progressing the site acquisition but I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to advance matters. My officials are currently liaising with officials in Donegal County Council with a view to determining the most appropriate next steps in order to bring about a satisfactory conclusion as expeditiously as possible.
Once the site acquisition is complete the project to deliver the schools will progress into architectural planning.
62. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the financial hardship, immense stress and poor morale that is caused to teachers who continue to experience pay inequality; the steps he will take to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44859/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. I have used this to negotiate substantial improvements in pay for new teachers. The agreement reached in September 2016 will see pay rises of between 15-22% (between €4600 and €6700) for new entrant teachers. The agreements also provide for earlier permanency for younger teachers, new promotion opportunities and new flexibilities in working hours.
The agreements have restored an estimated 75% of the difference in pay for more recently recruited teachers and deliver full equality at later points in the scale. This is substantial progress and strikes an equitable balance with other claims for funding on my Department, particularly needs such as enhanced service for children with special educational needs, for disadvantaged schools, for growing schools, for Higher Education and for apprenticeships.
In education, there is a well-established increment system. Teachers are not paid equally. For example, the pay scale for teachers appointed prior to 2011 ranges from €33,805 to €61,951 depending on the date that the individual began teaching. Part of the negotiation to date has secured a convergence of the scales of recruits at different periods.
I accept that the teacher unions have outstanding pay demands and that the new entrant deal does not travel the full distance that they set out to achieve. However, any further negotiation on new entrant pay cannot focus on just one sector. The recently concluded Public Service Agreement 2018-2020 includes a provision in relation to new entrants which states that an examination of the remaining salary scale issues in respect of post January 2011 recruits at entry grades covered by parties to the Agreement will be undertaken within 12 months of the commencement of the Agreement. An initial meeting on new entrant pay under this process took place on the 12th of October 2017.
The Government also supports the gradual, negotiated repeal of the FEMPI legislation, having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.
The new Public Service Stability Agreement would also bring undoubted benefits to younger teachers. In January 2018, a newly qualified teacher straight out of college will earn €35,958. In October 2020, a newly qualified teacher straight out of college will earn €37,692. This is a very competitive graduate salary.
63. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to implement the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills report on positive mental health in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45009/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the deputy that I was pleased to receive a copy of the report on Positive Mental Health in Schools following its launch on 12th September last. I have also been asked by the Joint Committee on Education and Skills to respond the range of recommendations therein following their comprehensive examination of this important matter.
I have requested that officials of my Department review the document and its recommendations in the context of the current policy on Wellbeing and Mental Health and I would intend to revert to the Committee in this regard shortly.
64. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the criteria for awarding student grants to postgraduate students completing degrees who have chosen to do their course on a part-time basis, particularity persons out of education for a long period prior to commencing their degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44950/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproved postgraduate courses for the Student Grant Scheme 2017 are prescribed in the Student Support Regulations 2017 and in the Student Support Act 2011. The Regulations prescribe that an approved postgraduate course is a full-time course leading to a major higher education and training award which takes a minimum of one year to complete in an approved institution. There are no plans to extend this provision to part-time students.
However, students attending postgraduate courses on a part-time basis may qualify for tax relief on fees paid. Further details may be got from www.revenue.ie.
Springboard+ provides free full-time and part-time higher education courses in areas where there are identified skills needs and/or employment opportunities. Courses to date have been delivered in areas such ICT, Manufacturing which includes the biopharma sector, Construction, Entrepreneurship, Cross-Enterprise Skills, the Hospitality Sector and International Financial Services. Springboard+ incorporates the ICT skills conversion programme. Springboard+ courses are delivered in public and private Higher Education Institutions throughout the country. In addition, many courses are delivered on-line enabling people to access them regardless of where they reside in the country.
The Deputy will also be aware of the Action Plan for Education commitment to increase financial supports for postgraduate students with a particular focus on those from low income households. In response to this commitment, additional funding was secured in Budgets 2017 and 2018, to facilitate the reinstatement of full maintenance grants, from this September, for the most disadvantaged postgraduate students. This will benefit approximately 1,100 full-time post graduate students who meet the eligibility criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant.
65. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans for the development of a new campus for a school (details supplied). [44946/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a building project for the facility in question is included in my Department's 6-year construction plan (2019-2021).
The delivery of this project necessitates the acquisition of a suitable site and my Department is engaging with the Patron body in this context.
66. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will reconsider its refusal to fund a new space at a school (details supplied) for resource teaching; and if his officials will meet with the principal and board of management of the school. [44818/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is satisfied that the recent delivery of a project at the school referred to by the Deputy, to provide six new mainstream classrooms and new toilet facilities, provides sufficient accommodation to cater for the schools mainstream requirements. In addition, this now allows for reconfiguration of existing permanent accommodation to meet resource teaching requirements.
In addition I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department approved the provision of a two-class ASD Unit in February of this year which will further improve the facilities at this school.
67. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil meastóireacht déanta ag a roinn ar an iarratas ó Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna na Gaillimhe agus Ros Comáin ar aitheantas do choláiste (sonraí tugtha), mar mheánscoil neamhspleách dara leibhéal; cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh ar an iarratas sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44813/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá iarratas faighte ag an Roinn maidir le Coláiste Naomh Eoin, Inis Meáin, le go ndéanfaí machnamh ar stadas neamhspleách a bhronnadh ar scoil an oileáin. Tá an t-iarratas á mheas faoi láthair.
68. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on increasing public funding of third level colleges to reverse the cuts that have taken place since 2008 and to end reliance on private sector funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44822/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the funding of third level education in the future, with particular reference to student fees; his further plans on the specific nature in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45007/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher education is a central part of our plan as a Government to support a strong economy and deliver a fair society. To that end, the Government is committed to providing a more sustainable funding model for higher education.
This commitment is evidenced, in the first instance, in the establishment of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education, under the chairmanship of Peter Cassells tasked with developing a strategy for funding the third level sector. The Expert Group’s Report which was published in July 2016, clearly outlines the funding challenges in the higher education sector and offers a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration. As committed to in the Programme for Government, the report has been referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee for Education and Skills as part of the process for formulating a plan for the future of the sector. I look forward to receiving the Committee’s recommendations which will assist in facilitating informed decision-making for the future direction of funding for higher education. No policy decisions are being taken in this area pending the outcome of examination of the Cassells report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills.
I am cognisant of the immediate challenges facing the higher education sector and so while the Committee has been undertaking this important work, I have been working in the interim to secure additional funding for the sector. In that context, I secured additional funding for the sector in Budget 2017 of €36.5 million.
Building on that investment, I secured an additional €60m in Budget 2018 to be allocated to higher education. This additional funding will allow for targeted initiatives in higher education including skills programmes, performance and innovation funding, technological university development and apprenticeship costs in the sector. It will also allow for places to be provided for 2,100 additional students in 2018. In total, we will invest €100m more in Higher and Further Education in 2018 than we did in 2016, before the publication of the Cassells Report.
69. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the review of the criteria into Caranua will be completed; and when the results of that review will be made available to the Houses of the Oireachtas. [44811/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review that is currently under way is confined to the issue of eligibility to apply to Caranua for support. No other issues are being considered.
The Terms of Reference of the review of eligibility, a draft of which was published on my Department’s website earlier this year, provided for an initial phase involving a review of Caranua’s expenditure to date and an estimation of the projected expenditure taking into account applications on hand and anticipated further applications together with an estimation of any possible underspend of the available funding. This initial phase of the review is now at an advanced stage and I hope to receive a report thereon shortly.
If the findings of this initial phase indicate that an underspend of the €110 million in funding available to Caranua is likely, a consultation process would then be initiated with stakeholders about an expansion of the eligibility criteria, including identification of the groups that could be considered for inclusion in any expansion, and would seek to identify possible arrangements for verifying eligibility, resource implications and related issues. If the findings indicate that an underspend was unlikely, the review will conclude at that point. It should be noted also that any proposal to widen eligibility would require legislation.
It would be my intention to make public the results of the review.
70. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the maintenance grant for postgraduate students will be restored. [44856/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware of the Action Plan for Education commitment to increase financial supports for postgraduate students with a particular focus on those from low income households.
In response to this commitment, additional funding of €4 million was secured in Budget 2017, to facilitate the reinstatement of full maintenance grants, from this September, for the most disadvantaged postgraduate students. This will benefit approximately 1,100 post graduate students who meet the eligibility criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant.
The €4 million will cover the cost of this measure in 2017 and has been added to the baseline for future years. A further €3 million was secured in Budget 2018, to meet the rolling cost of the implementation of this measure.
71. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who have completed an apprenticeship programme in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; his plans for an apprenticeship degree programme as in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44814/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra78. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of places that will be available on the ten new apprenticeship programmes announced in budget 2018; when they will commence; and his plans for an apprenticeship degree programme as in the UK. [44815/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought be the Deputy in relation to the number of people who have completed their apprenticeship programme is set out in the attached table. It should be noted that craft apprenticeships are four years in duration. Therefore, the number of completers set out in the attached table reflect apprentices that commenced their programme four years earlier, at a time when registrations where much lower than they are currently.
As the Deputy is aware, the Apprenticeship Council was established in 2014 to oversee the expansion of the apprenticeship system in Ireland. Since its first call for proposals the Council has been working with consortia to develop their proposals into sustainable apprenticeships that can be delivered on a nationwide basis. To date eleven new apprenticeships have been developed by the Council in various occupations such as accounting, finance and engineering. A number of these new programmes lead to an award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at degree level (levels 7 & 8) such as Insurance Practice (level 8), Electrical Engineering (level 7), Polymer Processing Technology (Level 7), Manufacturing Engineering (Level 7) and International Financial Services Specialist (level 8). Other programmes, arising from the first call, are at various stages of development and are expected to get underway later this year and during 2018, many of which lead to an award at level 7 and above on the NFQ.
Earlier this year we published the Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland 2016-2020 which sets out a series of detailed actions and annual targets on how we will achieve the expansion commitments in the area set out in the Action Plan for Education. A key commitment for this year set out in the Plan was the issuing of a second call for apprenticeship proposals to refresh the pipeline of proposals already established through the first call. The second call closed on the 1st September with 77 proposals received across arrange of sectors and occupations and at various levels on the NFQ. The Apprenticeship Council is currently assessing proposals received and will make its recommendations to me in November. I am confident that, as was the case with the first call, there will be a good spread of proposals recommended for development across all levels of the NFQ.
As set out in our Plan we have targeted a further ten new schemes for 2018 which will bring the total new apprenticeships to 25, almost doubling the number of apprenticeship schemes on offer in Ireland. As the apprenticeship model is employer led, it is difficult to quantify, at this stage, how many places will be taken up in the ten new schemes scheduled for next year. However, the Action Plan targets 1,500 new registrations for 2018 across all of the new apprenticeships developed to date and introduced during the year.
Advanced Certificate Craft - Certs Issued by QQI 2014-2016 & 2017 ytd.
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 * |
2017ytd * |
Total |
||
|
Construction |
||||||
|
Brick and Stonelaying |
30 |
18 |
5 |
6 |
59 |
|
|
Cabinet Making |
15 |
7 |
6 |
3 |
31 |
|
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
181 |
110 |
95 |
71 |
457 |
|
|
Floor and Wall Tiling |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|||
|
Painting and Decorating |
10 |
10 |
7 |
2 |
29 |
|
|
Plastering |
17 |
12 |
6 |
10 |
45 |
|
|
Plumbing |
206 |
152 |
113 |
121 |
592 |
|
|
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing |
2 |
5 |
9 |
6 |
22 |
|
|
463 |
314 |
243 |
219 |
1239 |
||
|
Electrical |
||||||
|
Aircraft Mechanics |
16 |
36 |
19 |
16 |
87 |
|
|
Electrical |
469 |
353 |
362 |
326 |
1510 |
|
|
Electrical Instrumentation |
9 |
16 |
20 |
25 |
70 |
|
|
Electronic Security Systems |
10 |
5 |
10 |
4 |
29 |
|
|
Instrumentation |
1 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
12 |
|
|
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
24 |
22 |
22 |
28 |
96 |
|
|
529 |
434 |
438 |
403 |
1804 |
||
|
Engineering |
||||||
|
Farriery |
5 |
5 |
6 |
1 |
17 |
|
|
Industrial Insulation |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|||
|
M.A.M.F. |
68 |
82 |
93 |
91 |
334 |
|
|
Metal Fabrication |
75 |
47 |
70 |
83 |
275 |
|
|
Sheet Metalworking |
12 |
5 |
12 |
9 |
38 |
|
|
Toolmaking |
20 |
32 |
38 |
41 |
131 |
|
|
185 |
171 |
219 |
226 |
801 |
||
|
Motor |
||||||
|
Agricultural Mechanics |
16 |
17 |
28 |
22 |
83 |
|
|
Construction Plant Fitting |
30 |
33 |
28 |
31 |
122 |
|
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
59 |
48 |
55 |
59 |
221 |
|
|
Motor Mechanics |
140 |
165 |
182 |
169 |
656 |
|
|
Vehicle Body Repairs |
36 |
35 |
19 |
12 |
102 |
|
|
281 |
298 |
312 |
293 |
1184 |
||
|
Printing & Paper |
||||||
|
Print Media |
7 |
4 |
8 |
3 |
22 |
|
|
Total |
7 |
4 |
8 |
3 |
22 |
|
|
Grand Total |
1465 |
1221 |
1220 |
1144 |
5050 |
*figures above do not include completers on new Apprenticeships as the first of these only commenced in 2016.
72. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to address difficulties being experienced by parents of eight school children (details supplied) in south County Kildare with special education needs who are due to leave primary school in June 2018 and that are struggling to find appropriate secondary school places in their local area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45025/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools, which have enrolled students with special educational needs, in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which is a separate independent statutory body, plans and co-ordinates the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs in conjunction with schools and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports as required, which includes the establishment of special classes in mainstream primary and post primary schools. The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year, including the need for school placements in Co. Kildare, and where special provision is required it is planned and established to meet that need.
The NCSE has advised that the SENO and Senior SENO for the Kildare area have met with parents of the students who are due to leave the primary school referred to by the Deputy, in June 2018, to discuss their concerns and provide information relating to their transition to post primary education. The NCSE have also advised that they have assured parents that they are aware of their child’s departure from primary school and are planning accordingly.
The enrolment of a child in a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department and the NCSE has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools.
Accordingly, the NCSE has advised the parents involved, to seek to enrol their child, by applying in writing, to the school/s of their choice as early as possible.
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. The criteria to be applied by schools in such circumstances are a matter for the schools themselves. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to publish its enrolment policy.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a student, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Educational Training Board or to the Secretary General of my Department.
The NCSE will continue to work with schools, parents, NEPs, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in that area for children with special educational needs, to ensure that each child has a post primary placement appropriate to their needs for the 2018/19 school year.
My Department continues to work with the NCSE to ensure that there is appropriate planning in place to ensure that all children who require special class placements and special school places can access such placements in schools within their communities.
73. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will restore pay equality for young persons in the public sector in budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40457/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. I have used this to negotiate substantial improvements in pay for new teachers. The agreement reached in September 2016 will see pay rises of between 15-22% (between €4600 and €6700) for new entrant teachers. The agreements also provide for earlier permanency for younger teachers, new promotion opportunities and new flexibilities in working hours.
The agreements have restored an estimated 75% of the difference in pay for more recently recruited teachers and deliver full equality at later points in the scale. This is substantial progress and strikes an equitable balance with other claims for funding on my Department, particularly needs such as enhanced service for children with special educational needs, for disadvantaged schools, for growing schools, for Higher Education and for apprenticeships.
In education, there is a well-established increment system. Teachers are not paid equally. For example, the pay scale for teachers appointed prior to 2011 ranges from €33,805 to €61,951 depending on the date that the individual began teaching. Part of the negotiation to date has secured a convergence of the scales of recruits at different periods.
I accept that the teacher unions have outstanding pay demands and that the new entrant deal does not travel the full distance that they set out to achieve. However, any further negotiation on new entrant pay cannot focus on just one sector. The recently concluded Public Service Agreement 2018-2020 includes a provision in relation to new entrants which states that an examination of the remaining salary scale issues in respect of post January 2011 recruits at entry grades covered by parties to the Agreement will be undertaken within 12 months of the commencement of the Agreement. An initial meeting on new entrant pay under this process took place on the 12th of October 2017.
The Government also supports the gradual, negotiated repeal of the FEMPI legislation, having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.
The new Public Service Stability Agreement would also bring undoubted benefits to younger teachers. In January 2018, a newly qualified teacher straight out of college will earn €35,958. In October 2020, a newly qualified teacher straight out of college will earn €37,692. This is a very competitive graduate salary.
74. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans to protect playing fields owned by the religious orders but used by publicly funded schools to ensure their use by current and future pupils of such schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45030/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school system in Ireland is based on the principle of patronage. The school patron is responsible for running the school. The arrangements to provide land for the school are commonly made by the patron. Most school property is in the ownership of private entities.
Where the ownership of school property rests with the patron or trustees, it is a matter for school patrons to ensure that the current and potential future educational needs of the school are prioritised.
75. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an aithníonn sé go bhfuil dúshlán faoi leith le sárú ag na meánscoileanna atá ag feidhmiú ar na hoileáin amach ón gcósta agus an bhfuil i gceist aige soláthar speisialta a chur ar fail do na scoileanna sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44812/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá cúrsaí fós mar a luaitear cheana i gceist pharlaiminte uimhir 77 agus uimhir 78 ar an 12ú lá de mhí na Samhna, 2017.
Aithníonn mo Roinnse an ról ríthábhachtach atá ag scoileanna na n-oileán i gcothabháil phobail agus chultúr na n-oileán, agus tá sé tiomanta go láidir do na scoileanna a choimeád ar na hoileáin. Is ar an gcúis sin agus mar aitheantas ar na dúshláin atá rompu go bhfuil tacaíocht bhreise á tabhairt cheana féin ag an Roinn do na scoileanna ar na hoileáin.
Tá sé mar aidhm ag Polasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 de chuid na Roinne tacaíocht a thabhairt d’úsáid na Gaeilge mar phríomhtheanga na bpobal Gaeltachta trí oideachas ardchaighdeáin trí mheán na Gaeilge a chur ar fáil. Faoi choinníollacha an Pholasaí, tá acmhainní breise á soláthar do scoileanna Gaeltachta a bhfuil rogha déanta acu páirt a ghlacadh sa Scéim Aitheantais Scoileanna Gaeltachta. I measc na n-acmhainní sin tá forbairt ghairmiúil leantach tiomnaithe (FGL), atá á cur ar fáil faoi láthair do scoileanna. Tá cuairteanna comhairleacha ón gCigireacht á gcur i bhfeidhm chomh maith cun tacú le pleanáil ghníomhaíochta na scoileanna chun caighdeán an tsoláthair oideachais trí Ghaeilge a neartú agus chun úsáid na Gaeilge sa phobal scoile a mhéadú. Cuirfear breis tacaíochta agus acmhainní ar fáil do scoileanna a bheidh ag glacadh páirte sa scéim in 2018, tar éis do phleananna gníomhaíochta na scoileanna a bheith faofa.
I mBuiséad 2018, cuirfear níos mó ná €1 milliún ar fáil chun leanúint le feidhmiú céimneach an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 in 2018. Cuirfidh an Roinn na ceisteanna atá ardaithe ag an Teachta san áireamh i gcomhthéacs an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 agus na n-éileamh iomaíoch ar na hacmhainní a bheidh ar fáil.
76. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase funding for and make changes to the SUSI grant to deliver increases in grants for students in view of the rise in the costs of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44821/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2017, my Department will spend circa €450m on access measures for further and higher education students. This includes circa €390m on student grants and related activities, which is expected to benefit approximately 80,000 students. Other new access measures introduced in 2017 include an additional €1m to support more lone parents to access higher education, €1m for the introduction of a new 1916 centenary bursary scheme that will be targeted at groups are currently under-represented in higher education and €2.5m to incentivise higher education institutions to attract more students from disadvantaged communities.
In Budget 2018, an additional €64.5 million will be allocated to higher and further education and training. This additional funding will allow for targeted initiatives in higher education including skills programmes, performance and innovation funding, technological university development and apprenticeship costs in the sector. It will also allow for places to be provided for 2,100 additional students in 2018. In total, in the period 2017-2018 over €137 million in additional funding will be invested in higher and further education.
The additional funding in Budgets 2017 and 2018, has also facilitated the reintroduction of maintenance grants for the most disadvantaged postgraduate students. This measure is expected to benefit approximately 1,100 students in 2017/18.
77. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the education of teachers is becoming too expensive and lengthy. [44944/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe quality of teaching in our schools is central to the educational outcomes of our children. That means that we have to have teachers with the right skills in our schools; skills relevant to Ireland’s changing needs and to meet the challenges of ensuring quality learning in all areas, including in current priority areas such as literacy and numeracy.
My Department’s National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011-2020 and the work of the Teaching Council were the driving force for the reform of Teacher Education programmes. This is important work that, I believe, will benefit future generations and society as a whole
The improvements made include the reconfiguration of the content and increasing the duration of courses. Undergraduate initial teacher education programmes are now a minimum of four years duration and postgraduate programmes of two years duration.
I support the changes which are in line with the recommendations of the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy and aim to ensure that newly qualified teachers are better equipped for the needs of the modern day classroom.
As the Deputy will be aware, there are a range of supports available to eligible students under the student grant scheme. For students entering undergraduate courses the scheme contains a number of qualifying thresholds increasing relative to the number of family dependents for various grant values. The highest income threshold, for a family of less than 4 dependent children, is €54,240. This will qualify a student for 50% of the student contribution. The highest level of maintenance grant is €5,915 (non-adjacent special rate of maintenance grant).
Students entering post graduate programmes who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the scheme are eligible to have their post-graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit of €6,270. Alternatively, a postgraduate student may qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the cost of their fees. The income threshold for this payment is €31,500 for the 2017/18 academic year, increasing relative to the number of family dependents. In addition, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
Tax relief also is available on postgraduate tuition fees. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.
79. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to deal with pay equalisation in view of the rejection of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 by certain individual trade unions; his views on whether this issue will escalate; his further plans to consult with the unions that rejected the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40550/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. I have used this to negotiate substantial improvements in pay for new teachers. The agreement reached in September 2016 will see pay rises of between 15-22% (between €4600 and €6700) for new entrant teachers. The agreements also provide for earlier permanency for younger teachers, new promotion opportunities and new flexibilities in working hours.
The agreements have restored an estimated 75% of the difference in pay for more recently recruited teachers and deliver full equality at later points in the scale. This is substantial progress and strikes an equitable balance with other claims for funding on my Department, particularly needs such as enhanced service for children with special educational needs, for disadvantaged schools, for growing schools, for Higher Education and for apprenticeships.
In education, there is a well-established increment system. Teachers are not paid equally. For example, the pay scale for teachers appointed prior to 2011 ranges from €33,805 to €61,951 depending on the date that the individual began teaching. Part of the negotiation to date has secured a convergence of the scales of recruits at different periods.
I accept that the teacher unions have outstanding pay demands and that the new entrant deal does not travel the full distance that they set out to achieve. However, any further negotiation on new entrant pay cannot focus on just one sector. The recently concluded Public Service Agreement 2018-2020 includes a provision in relation to new entrants which states that an examination of the remaining salary scale issues in respect of post January 2011 recruits at entry grades covered by parties to the Agreement will be undertaken within 12 months of the commencement of the Agreement. An initial meeting on new entrant pay under this process took place on the 12th of October 2017.
The Government also supports the gradual, negotiated repeal of the FEMPI legislation, having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.
New teachers will benefit from the extension to the LRA. On 1st January 2018 a newly qualified teacher straight out of college will start on €35,958. In October 2020, a newly qualified teacher straight out of college will start on €37,692.
